American Dealer steamrolls US rivals in 1:49.2 and even the commentator said Wow!
By Barry Lichter • 7 March 2022
American Dealer had even the commentator reaching for superlatives when he posted a sizzling 1:49.2 North American debut win at The Meadowlands last night.
“That gets a WOW,” the caller said after he described American Dealer “steam-rolling” past his rivals to down his ex countrymate On The Cards and score by half a length on a chilly 4 deg Celsius evening.
Driver Scott Zeron left from gate four and had the former Lincoln Farms’ star fourth in the running, the first half cut out in a white hot 54 seconds, before easing out just before the three-quarter marker and powering home to win with something in hand.
The Dealer’s time was the second fastest on the night behind former Kiwi Let It Ride, a half brother to Lincoln Farms’ Louie The Punter and Double Or Nothing, who took time honours for driver Dexter Dunn and trainer Nifty Norman with a 1:48.6 clocking in the following race.
The Dealer’s performance was arguably the second most impressive North American debut by a Kiwi pacer behind former champion Lazarus who claimed the Dan Patch at Hoosier Park in August, 2018 in 1:48.4.
Co-owner Gordon Banks, who now races the little prize fighter with his cousin Marc Hanover and New Yorker Ken Jacobs, was ecstatic about the first-up win.
Scott Zeron brings American Dealer back to the winner’s circle at the Meadowlands.“What a great start to his North American career,” Banks said.
“I was nervous because of the high expectations we had for The Dealer after his two great trials but he won unurged and safe late.
“It was hard earned and a step-up in company - he raced against three or four good free-for-all horses who will be in the Borgata series, including Captain Barbossa, who won the 2020 Little Brown Jug.”
Banks said you only had to watch Zeron and trainer Linda Toscano in the winner’s circle to see how much they loved the little horse.
“Linda repeatedly refers to him as ‘a real cool dude’, and an impossible horse not to like. Scott exclaimed that he was a breath of fresh air.
“He has made a positive impact on everyone he has come into contact with. Let’s hope his career here builds favourably on this great start.”
The next scheduled race for the son of Woodlands Stud’s American Ideal is in two weeks in the first leg of the Borgata series at Yonkers, which has drawn 40 free-for-allers with an estimated final purse of $US600,000.
Bondi Shake scores for Austin Siegelman.Bondi Shake scores
Earlier, at Freehold in New Jersey, another former Lincoln Farms’ pacer Bondi Shake won at only his second start in the United States, leading all the way in 1:56.6 for trainer-driver Austin Siegelman.
The son of Somebeachsomewhere won six races for Al Barnes in Queensland before his sale last August.
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Nathan’s comments
Thursday night at Cambridge
Race 1: Im Not The Maid
5.14pm
“She went pretty well last week considering they came a fast last half (56.3) and she sat parked from the 800. She’s back to the amateur grade, and should get a good run from the two draw, so hopefully we can get a bit of cash.”
Race 4: Dreams Of Eric
6.38pm
“He didn’t handle the right-handed bends at Auckland last week (galloping at the 300) so we’ll stick to Cambridge from now on. There’s a bit of gate speed in the race so Harry (Harrison Orange) should be able to sit in somewhere. I think he’s a good chance to run top three.”
Ray’s comments
Friday night at Auckland
Race 1: Leo Lincoln
5.59pm
“He’s racing very well. He would have run second last week (to American Me) had he not spooked at the winning post. These are tidy horses he’s racing against but he’s holding his own.”
Race 1: Kevin Kline
5.59pm
“He’ll go better back to a mobile start. He did well to finish so close last week after a slow start than having to do all the donkey work when parked for the last lap. Maurice really likes him because he just puts him into cruise control and he keeps going.”
Race 3: Lincoln Downs
6.58pm
“She’s not as good as the other filly but some lift their game when the money’s up so maybe she can pick up a cheque.”
Race 3: Lincoln’s Spice
6.58pm
“She looks a pretty decent chance of winning. She’s a real little tradesman, does nothing wrong, is easy to handle, is a nice drive, tries hard, is great gaited and has the potential to get stronger.”
Race 5: Tyson
7.51pm
“We found out he raced with a virus last time. The next morning snot was pouring out his nose and that’s why he didn’t finish it off as well as we expected. He only whacked away in the run home. With that gone, he should race better.”
Race 5: Johnny Lincoln
7.51pm
“I think he’ll be competitive and he’s the best of ours in the race. He won well last week and has trained on well. He’s promising. I couldn’t go as far as to say he’s a classic colt yet but we’ll find out soon enough.”
Race 5: Sugar Ray Lincoln
7.51pm
“He’s doing my head in. He had no excuse for breaking last week. Maurice (McKendry) didn’t blame the wet track. He said he was gliding along, travelling beautifully, when for no apparent reason he put in big steps. I’ll put a hood on him this time to see if it’s a nervous issue.”
Race 8: The Rascal
9.23pm
“All going well, he should win what is a poor maiden field. He’s elevated himself from the transfer list and is going well now. He doesn’t have huge gate speed, so he may not lead but he should get a good trip from one. On paper, he’s our best chance of the night.”
